Mumbai, July 13 -- A quick look up to scan the pitch. But Julian Alvarez was never looking to make a pass. It was more of a formality to double-check where the target was. He then unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box that curled, dipped and sailed into the top-right corner of the net. Away from any Switzerland defender hoping to make a block. Away from the outstretched arm of the diving Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. And just eight minutes away from a win that would take them into the semi-final of the World Cup. Alvarez made it 2-1 for Argentina in the 112th minute, knocking the fight out of the 10-man Switzerland. In one of the final passages of play, Lautaro Martinez made it 3-1, sealing a final four spot for the seventh time in a global competition. The reactions after the game were upbeat. The players joined their fans to sing and dance, having got to within two wins of becoming only the third country to defend the World Cup. But they were made to do it the hard way on Sunday morning (IST). In each of their knockout matches, Argentina have been pushed to the limit. In the Round of 32, an unfancied Cape Verde put up a spirited show. Argentina eventually won 3-2 after extra time. In the Round of 16, Egypt led 2-0 before Lionel Messi inspired a comeback with three goals in the last 12 minutes of regulation time to steal a 3-2 win. After that match in Atlanta, Messi was as emotional as he was when helped Argentina lift the title in 2022. On Sunday morning (IST) though, the Swiss did what few teams have done in the past. They kept Messi quiet. La Albiceleste has formed a habit of relying too much on Messi. Granted, he has repeatedly carried the team on his slender shoulders, but they needed others also to step up. Against the disciplined Swiss, the others stepped up. Messi did contribute to the opening goal, though. He delivered a perfect corner, and Alexis Mac Allister made a darting run forward and scored with a glancing header. The Liverpool midfielder was rated as one of the world's best three midfielders by former England star Steven Gerrard. Switzerland had started as the better team, holding onto possession and creating chances until Mac Allister's goal gave Argentina more impetus to fight back for possession. But this Swiss team had come into the quarters unbeaten. It was the first time since 1954, when they hosted the World Cup, that they reached the quarter-finals. This was a solid team and they showed it in how they worked their way forward for Dan Ndoye to slot past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from an acute angle, after some slick passing and a mazy run.The Swiss looked in control again. But that lasted for five minutes. Breel Embolo, already on a yellow card, was sent off for simulation. On ascendency until then, Switzerland suddenly had their backs to the wall. But they had prepared for this. Reports emerged before the match that coach Murat Yakin had been putting his team through drills of playing with 10 players against 11, nine against 11 and even eight against 11. That preparation showed as the Swiss did not lose shape despite being a man down. And through all that, they marked and kept Messi - he had scored in a record nine games in a row - quiet. Argentina needed somebody to step up if they were to avoid penalties. Alvarez did. That stunning goal from distance, his first of the World Cup, lifted his team....